What injury results from a blunt object striking the skin and underlying tissues?

A contusion, also known as a bruise, occurs when a blunt object strikes the skin and underlying tissues, leading to local bleeding without breaking the skin. The impact causes blood vessels to rupture, resulting in discoloration and swelling in the affected area. This type of injury is characterized by the presence of tenderness, swelling, and a gradual change in color as the blood is broken down and absorbed by the body.

Other types of injuries such as incised wounds, stab wounds, and abrasions differ fundamentally in their mechanisms. An incised wound is caused by a sharp-edged object, resulting in a clean cut through the skin and tissues. A stab wound involves a pointed object piercing through the skin and deeper tissues, typically producing a deeper injury than an incised wound of the same length. An abrasion involves the superficial loss of skin through scraping, usually without significant bleeding, but does not involve any impact from a blunt object in the same manner as a contusion. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in forensic medicine for both diagnosis and documentation of injuries.